Half-shute

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed as an accessory to propel skateboards with the power of the wind. It can easily be carried around the waist of the user when not in use. This device includes a one-dimensional oblong piece of fabric.  
     This invention&#39;s oblong shape bellows out in the center to capture more wind. Edges are lined with guide wires and reinforced with double layer, folded over, material. The outer perimeter is re-enforced with heavy duty stitching. At each of the lateral ends there are attachments for the user&#39;s wrists.  
     The inferior point of the Shute attaches to a flexible cord, which in turn attaches to an eyebolt, which is secure on the skateboard.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/327,170 filed Oct. 5, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to sails and skateboards.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Skateboards generally consist of a planar support surface andfour wheels. Users stand upon the support surface and typically propelthe skateboard by exerting force upon the ground with one foot.

[0006] Sails generally consist of flexible material and one or moresupports for retaining the material in a vertical position. Sails areused on boats and other watercraft, which are in turn propelled by theforce of wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a sail accessory forskateboards. In one embodiment, the sail accessory comprises aone-dimensional horizontal oblong piece of fabric. The oblong shapebellows out in the center to capture more wind. Edges are lined withguide wires and reinforced with double layer, folded over, material. Theouter perimeter is re-enforced with heavy duty stitching. At each of thelateral ends there are attachments for the user's wrists. The inferiorpoint of the fabric attaches to a flexible cord, which in turn attachesto an eyebolt, which is secure on the skateboard.

[0008] The present invention is also directed to a new method of usingskateboards. In one embodiment, the method comprises a sail accessory.

[0009] An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a new sail accessory for skateboards.

[0010] Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a new sail accessory for skateboards, which may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0011] Still another advantage of an embodiment of the present inventionis to provide a sail accessory for skateboards, which is of durable andreliable construction.

[0012] An even further advantage of an embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a sail accessory for skateboards which issusceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materialsand labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices ofsale to the consuming public, thereby making such product economicallyavailable to the buying public.

[0013] Still yet another advantage of an embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a sail accessory for skateboards and novelmethod of use to propel skateboards by power of the wind.

[0014] There are additional advantages of embodiments of the presentinvention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a sailaccessory according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a sail accessory according tothe present invention.

DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] For a better understanding of the invention, its operatingadvantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, referenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. Inthis respect, before explaining a least one embodiment of the inventionin detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited inits application of the details of construction and to the arrangementsof the components set forth in the following description or illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0018] With reference now to the drawings in detail, in FIGS. 1 and 2 isillustrated an exemplary embodiment of a sail accessory for a skateboardin accordance with the present invention, which applicant has termed.Half-Shute™.

[0019] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the Half-Shute 10 comprises a mainsail 20. In this embodiment, the Half-Shute 10 preferably measuresapproximately 82 inches wide and 33 inches in height at its largestpoint. The Half-Shute's height in the present embodiment tapersdownwardly from its center point at a maximum of 33 inches to a minimumof 16 inches at its lateral ends.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the Half-Shute 10 is manufactured of alightweight material, such as a lightweight fabric, for example andwithout limitation, Nylon™ or any other suitable materials adaptable foruse in lightweight sails and parachutes.

[0021] The edges are preferrably re-enforced with either lightweightguide wires or re-enforced stitching.

[0022] The tail 30 of the Half-Shute 10 in this embodiment is attachedto the inferior point of the Shute and is approximately 16-18 incheslong. The tail is approximately 18 inches wide at its top most verticalpoint, tapering down to approximately 6 inches wide at its most inferiorpoint.

[0023] In addition, in the present embodiment, a cord 40, preferably acoiled length of elastomeric cord or similar flexible material, such asa 12-in. bungee cord 40 shown in the figs, is attached to the inferiorpoint of the tail. The inferior point of the bungee cord is preferablyattached to an oblong 1 and ½ inch spring link metal hook 50. The springlink will be attached to a {fraction (5/16)} eyebolt 60. As should beunderstood, other suitable types of connecting devices can also be usewhere desired. The eyebolt in this embodiment is preferably attached 4inches posterior from the most anterior point of the skateboard andincludes one {fraction (5/16)}-fender washer above, and one below theboard, although as should be understood. Below the inferior fenderwasher is preferably a {fraction (5/16)}-lock washer and nut.

[0024] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the illustration's posterior viewshows the lateral ends of the Half-Shute 10 attached to cords 70, whichare preferably comprised of a flexible material, such as an elastomer.These cords in turn are attached to wrist straps 80, which are Velcro inthis embodiment.

[0025] The Half-Shute is used to propel the skateboard and its user inthe direction of the wind. Preferably, a minimum wind velocity of 12knots is required, but that is not necessary and lower wind velocity canalso provide sufficient operation.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the oblong shape of the device tapersdown at its lateral ends to the medial ends of two short flexible cords.The lateral of such cords attach to two Velcro wrist straps. Theinferior point of the device is connected to a tail, which in turnattaches to bungee cord or a coiled length of elastomeric cord. Suchcord in turn attaches to oblong spring link. A {fraction (5/16)}-eyebolt attaches to the spring link at its superior end and into theskateboard at its inferior end.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the Half-Shute is capable of beingused with an all terrain skateboard. A foot block, such as measuring 1inch in height and 6 inches in length, is secured by any suitable means,such as an adhesive or fastener, and parallel to the anterior of theboard. The purpose of the footboard is to prevent the rider from slidingforward on the board.

[0028] The Half-Shute is preferably attached to the front of anall-terrain or mountain skateboard, but a standard skateboard will besufficient as well.

[0029] The lateral ends of the Half Shute are preferably attached to arider's wrists using the appropriate Velcro straps.

[0030] The Half-Shute is most operable when being used with a windvelocity between 12 and 25 knots. The direction of turns is controlledby appropriately pulling in either ones right or left arms towards thesides of the body.

[0031] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationship for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered an illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand change will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalent may be resorted to, falling with the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A Half-Shute adapted for a skateboard comprising: a sailgenerally oblong in shape; and a tail attached to said sail proximate aninferior point of said sail.
 2. The Half-Shute of claim 1 furthercomprising attachments on both of its superior lateral ends that areadapted to be retained by a rider in use.
 3. The Half-Shute of claim 2,wherein said attachments are adapted to be secured to a rider's wrists.4. The Half-Shute of claim 2, wherein said sail is generally diamond inshape and said tail is generally triangular in shape.
 5. The Half-Shuteof claim 4, wherein said sail and said tail comprises nylon.
 6. TheHalf-Shute of claim 5, wherein said sail is adapted to bellow out at itscenter point allowing air to be captured in use, with said sailmeasuring approximately 82 inches wide and approximately 33 inches inheight at its largest point, said sail height tapering down from itscenter point at a maximum of approximately 33 inches to a minimum ofapproximately 16 inches at its lateral ends, said inferior point of saidsail attaching to said tail, with said tail shaped as an invertedtriangle, with its most inferior point being a horizontal edgeapproximately 6 inches wide, said the tail being approximately 16-18inches long, approximately 18 inches wide at its top most verticalpoint, tapering down to approximately 6 inches wide at its most inferiorpoint.
 7. The Half-Shute of claim 6, wherein an inferior point of theHalf-Shute attaches to an anterior point of a skateboard via a springlink and eyebolt for anchoring said Half-Shute in place.
 8. TheHalf-Shute of claim 7, wherein outer edges of said sail, tail and wristattachments are reinforced with double stitching.
 9. The Half-Shute ofclaim 5, wherein the nylon will be re-enforced with either lightweightguide wires and or re-enforced stitching.
 10. The Half-Shute of claim 3,wherein the lateral ends of the Half Shute should be attached to thewrists using the appropriate Velcro straps.
 11. The Half-Shute of claim1, wherein the inferior point of Half Shute will be attached to a 12-in.bungee cord.
 12. The Half-Shute of claim 11, wherein the inferior pointof the bungee cord will be attached to an oblong 1 and ½ inch springlink metal hook. 13.The Half-Shute of claim 12, wherein the spring linkwill be attached to a {fraction (5/16)} eyebolt.
 14. The Half-Shute ofclaim 13, wherein the eyebolt will be attached approximately 4 inchesposterior from the most anterior point of the skateboard.
 15. TheHalf-Shute of claim 14, wherein the eyebolt will have one {fraction(5/16)}-fender washer above, and one below the board.
 16. The Half-Shuteof claim 1, wherein in use said Half-Shute will be controlled by windvelocity and the movement of a rider's arms.
 17. The Half-Shute of claim1, further comprising a substantially cylinder shaped nylon carryingcase that is adapted to be attached to a rider's waist via Velcro strapsor ties.